Chapters:

The next morning, Devin woke them all up early. He wanted to
leave to speak with the wizard as soon as they were ready.

While they were riding, Adriel moved over to ride next to Jarin.
When the others had ridden out of earshot, he smiled at his
friend.

"So, what is going on between you and Kain? I thought things were
going fine, then he started to avoid you. Did you say something
to make him angry?"

Jarin rolled his eyes. "No, I didn't. He has agreed to get to
know me, but not anything further, for now."

Adriel sighed. "And you agreed to it…" he paused. "Do you realize
that could make him want to stay in the comfort of just being
friends? If that happens, you will not have a chance at turning
it around. That is, unless you would rather have Rodney, instead.
He really does like you, you know?"

Jarin nodded, glancing at the young former soldier. "The problem
with that is that he is already a friend, and he was my friend
when I was with Bree…he liked me then, and I don't want him to
think I am getting with him because of his attraction to me and
seeing my memories with Breely. That would not he fair to him at
all."

Adriel cleared his throat, concentrating on his horse for a
moment. "Are you certain that would not be the case? Do you see
him as a rebound?"

Jarin swallowed hard, then looked back at his friend. "I don't
know, Adriel. Bree was nothing like either one of them, yet it
seems that it might be betraying his memory to get with either of
them long term. On the other hand, I would be willing to chance
that with Kain. I really just do not know yet. I felt an
attraction to Kain before I even met Breely…and I am afraid that
I might have been betraying him then, also."

Adriel stopped his horse and turned to Jarin. "Breely knew how
you felt, and he knew it was not just coming from somewhere else.
If he had, he would have said so. You had your time with him, and
you should move on. It's okay to remember someone while you are
with another person. You just need to be able to separate the
feelings you have for each. You will always love Breely, but
there is room for Kain. He is just afraid of letting himself get
close and hurting himself and you. You know how to speak with
people and gain their trust. Just continue what you are doing,
and things may turn out very good. If he pushes you away, that is
his problem. Just try."

Jarin stared at his friend, wondering where he had gained all of
his knowledge and wisdom. "Thank you. I will do that."

Adriel grinned. "Good. Now go speak with him while we are riding.
He seems to be a little bit more open with you as he was before,
so work on the knots he is untying. I will see you later. I have
a friendship to nurture, myself," he said, riding over to Anna.

Jarin sighed and rode over to Kain, who was speaking with Emery
and Fletcher. He noticed that Rodney had moved off by himself,
but left him to his thoughts. He knew the young former soldier
had a lot to think about. He joined in the conversation, hoping
it would help Kain to become more comfortable with him.